Series 1 Diif Mounts

[AndrewHarris]

Hi All, Has anyone else had issues with the 2 x front upper rubber matalastic mounts and the vulcanised sleeve becoming loose? I noticed I was getting excessive movement on the Diff assembly, all the other 6 x mounts are fine? I renewed these 6/7 years ago and done around 5K miles so I am thinking its a issue with the remanufactured bush? Has anyone experienced this before and can recommend a good supply? These were from SJS and I see PNM & Lotus Bits have then but not sure if's it's from the same manufacturer?
I would add a image but cannot figure out how to add it to this text?
Thanks
Andrew

[bash]

I've worked on quite a number of Excel diffs over the years and have never come across a problem with these bushes, although I have to say they were all original. I would guess that its an issue with aftermarket ones.

Bash

[Alan_M]

I've worked on quite a number of Excel diffs over the years and have never come across a problem with these bushes, although I have to say they were all original. I would guess that its an issue with aftermarket ones.

Bash

I’m pretty sure Andrew is talking about his éclat, so will be different bushes.

[AndrewHarris]

Hi Bash, Thanks for the feedback. The bushes have no sign of heat damage from the exhaust, but I am starting to think that the small gear box oil leak I have works it's way rearward to the mount which potentially weakened it's bond? I will take a closer look under the car?
Thanks
Andrew

[AndrewHarris]

Yes indeed series 1 éclat.
Andrew

[Pete Boole]

It's probably a problem with the Chinesium rubber. Pretty much all the rubber products (not those ) I buy these days are pants.

Pete

[AndrewHarris]

Thanks Pete, Yes agreed this and many more aftermarket parts!! I think an alternative option would be to get / make some Polybush mounts?
Andrew

[Pete Boole]

If you could choose the Shore hardness, making some poly bushes would be fine but some of the poly bushes I've had have been so hard they were unuseable. I bought some steering rack poly bushes from SJ and they were so hard the brackets wouldn't tighten down without bending!!

Neil in SA is the expert on poly bush making

Pete

[Excel SA]

Neil in SA has done this, but hasn't put his car back together yet so has no idea how successful he was.....

Neil.

[Pete Boole]

Neil in SA has done this, but hasn't put his car back together yet so has no idea how successful he was.....

Neil.

Crack on Neil! Too much project creep

Pete

[AndrewHarris]

Hi All, Thanks for all the feedback. I have ordered replacement bushes from Classic Team Lotus, price slightly higher than others and not sure it they are from the same supplier but hoping these will be the best I can get? I guess only time will tell how these hold up?
Andrew

[Pete Boole]

Any ideas as to why they are a different shape in the first place? These bushes will be most compressed on the over-run, but does the extra cone of rubber make them more or less compressible? Can't quite see the reason at the moment. I might try an experiment at some point to see if it makes any real difference using the same bush as the rest in that position.

Pete

[AndrewHarris]

Hi Pete, I don't know. I can only think Lotus had this different bush for a good reason else they would have tried to make then common like the other 6 off? I am no chassis/transmission expert but maybe more up/down moment at the front of the Diff? Either way I will find out if I notice a difference when bushes that function correctly are back in because I think the old damages bushes may have been like that for some time??
Andrew